UFO Observation Report — Bellerose, New York, October 22, 1967

This document contains the records of a UFO sighting reported by a resident of Bellerose, New York, on October 22, 1967. The observer, along with their sister, mother, and cousin (a member of the U.S. Coast Guard), reported seeing an object with flashing lights at approximately 8:00 p.m. The object was described as having full lines of white lights that flashed from left to right at an angle, with steady red and green lights on either side. The observer noted that the object appeared to be following a conventional aircraft in a northwest direction and was silent. The observer compared the appearance of the object to a Broadway marquee. The Air Force, through the Foreign Technology Division and the Aerial Phenomena Office, investigated the report. Lt. Col. Hector Quintanilla, Jr. provided an evaluation concluding that the sighting was likely a conventional aircraft towing an electrical advertising sign, a common explanation for such reports. The observer formally responded to the Air Force's conclusion, expressing dissatisfaction and skepticism. They argued that if it were an advertising sign, it should have displayed readable text rather than just a pattern of flashing lights, and they questioned the safety of an advertising sign flying half a mile behind a conventional aircraft. The correspondence includes the original sighting report, follow-up questionnaires, and official letters from the Air Force to the witness.